'261 walkers, five dogs, one cause' — Record-breaking Scottish Legal Walks raise thousands for access to justice

The Scottish Legal Walks in 2025 have been strolled, and the step count has soared, as well as funds raised to support local legal advice charities.

The Access to Justice Foundation Scotland committee’s super six Scottish Legal Walks were completed this autumn in Falkirk, Paisley, Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, with mostly fair weather. 

And what a record-breaking year it has been, with a grand total of 261 walkers and 5 dogs, 28.65 kilometres of route walked, and over £5,200 raised so far, with some matching of funds to follow, and we are still counting.

Funds raised this year will be pooled with other donations received to offer impactful grants in Scotland in 2026.

We are incredibly grateful for the continuing support of our national sponsors, the Faculty of Advocates, and the Law Society of Scotland, as well as our individual event sponsors, and all our walkers and supporters who help us to promote access to justice.

Here is my report on the walks:

Falkirk

The third annual Falkirk Legal Walk, expertly organised as ever by Laura Brown of Brown Owl Legal Support, was on Sunday 21.9, which included a fascinating tour of Callendar Park by local historian Geoff Bailey followed by lunch in Callendar House courtesy of event sponsor, Digby Brown.

Forida Begum, Solicitor at Balfour + Manson, Edinburgh who walked with us in Falkirk commented: “We met so many new faces from different corners of the legal world, from trainees to KCs, all walking together for the same cause. That spirit of togetherness is what makes the Falkirk Legal Walk special.”

Paisley

The first ever Paisley Legal Walk was on Tuesday 23.9 with a remarkably interesting historical tour of central Paisley by Paisley Tours.

Matthew Coffield, owner of MJC LAW commented: “We were proud to have organised the inaugural Paisley Legal Walk. It was a special evening - Sheriff Mohan’s address on the steps of Paisley Sheriff Court set the tone perfectly, and there was a real sense of community as we walked through Paisley’s historic heart. At MJC LAW, we believe everyone should have the right to access justice, regardless of their circumstances, and raising funds to help make that a reality is something very close to our hearts and the work we do every day.”

Glasgow

The eleventh Glasgow Legal Walk was on Wednesday 24.9 and the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow as event sponsor kindly provided the post-walk venue and refreshments. Its Dean, John Bett, addressed us at the start, walked with us, and commented: 
“Legal Walks are a great way for the profession to demonstrate its support for access to justice. The RFPG is proud to continue as sponsor of this year’s Glasgow Legal Walk, and in doing so help sustain law centres and advice agencies that make a real difference in our communities.”

We were also delighted to be joined on the walk by Ben Kemp, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland, John McKenzie, CEO of the RFPG and Austin Lafferty, a past Dean, who also commented:
“The Glasgow Legal Walk was another successful step (!) forward. A good turnout of lawyers and others gathered at Glasgow Sheriff Court and were given starting orders by Sheriff Principal Anwar who spoke strongly of the interests of justice and the support the legal walks provide. It was an enjoyable saunter around Glasgow’s legal heartland and historic legal places, ending up at the Royal Faculty itself on Nelson Mandela Place. We’re already looking forward to the 2026 Glasgow Legal Walk.”

Dundee

The third Dundee Legal Walk was on Tuesday 30.9, with Thorntons Law as event sponsor, hosting the post walk reception and providing welcome refreshments.

Colin Graham, Consultant and former Chair at Thorntons Law, who walked with us in Dundee and is such a great supporter of this event, commented: “The Dundee walk got off to the best of starts with a record turn out of participants and it was great to see familiar faces on the walk along with many new participants especially from the law faculty at the University of Dundee. As I said in my welcome address in our offices, Thorntons are delighted to sponsor the Dundee walk and welcome the walkers back to our offices for well earned refreshments. All the legal walks highlight the importance of access to justice and that seems even more important right now – not just the well documented legal aid situation – but also during a cost-of-living crisis. It was a pleasure to be involved.”

Edinburgh

The twelfth Edinburgh Legal Walk was on Wednesday 1.10. We welcomed Lady Tait, who encouraged the walkers in her address at the start, and commented: "I was delighted to welcome those joining the 12th annual Edinburgh Legal Walk, and the presence of so many signalled important support within the legal community for the principle of access to justice and the work of the Access to Justice Foundation. I would encourage more colleagues from the judiciary to join next year’s walk, as 7km is a tremendous opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow walkers, at a gentle pace and in the beautiful Edinburgh setting. This year’s evening concluded perfectly at a reception hosted by the Faculty of Advocates and sponsored by Addleshaw Goddard.”

We were delighted to have five Senators of the College of Justice, and the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Advocates join us on the walk.

The Faculty of Advocates, as national sponsor provided the post walk venue and delicious canapés, and the welcome drinks reception was sponsored by our event sponsor, Addleshaw Goddard. Tony Lenehan KC, the Vice Dean of the Faculty, who provided such an inspiring address at the post walk reception, commented: “For my part, I enjoyed the walk very much. In many ways doing the walk in a city to which you aren’t native amplifies the value of the walk. It reminded me of the general elegance of Edinburgh; its depth of history; and the strength of its role in the kingdom. I spoke to many interesting lawyers, and was pleased to host them afterwards in the Reading Room, held dear to everyone who has called to the Bar. The Faculty of Advocates has long had a commitment to assisting those who need specialist legal help but can’t otherwise access it, and it was uplifting to learn more of the Legal Walks’ shared values in providing access to justice.”

Aberdeen

Our closing event was the third Aberdeen Legal Walk on Wednesday 8.10.

Serena Sutherland, Vice President of the Law Society of Scotland, walked with us, spoke movingly at the post walk reception, and commented:  “I was very pleased to join the Aberdeen Legal Walk 2025 - my first ever legal walk! We enjoyed a walk around Aberdeen City Centre, stopping to hear from RGU students about the NuArt project artworks along the way, which was very interesting, and all the students did very well. Afterwards we were able to enjoy a light supper in the fabulous setting of the Library of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen thanks to the Society and the event sponsors, Addleshaw Goddard. It was a great event to raise awareness for the Access to Justice Foundation and the work of RGU Grampian Community Law Centre. As Vice-President of the Law Society of Scotland I’m proud that the Law Society and the Faculty of Advocates continue to support these events. Access to Justice is something that is relevant to all members of the profession and I welcome anything we can do to raise awareness of the Foundation and the work of Law Centres across the Country.” 

Rebecca Cox, Lecturer at Robert Gordon University and Law Centre Manager commented: “The Grampian Community Law Centre was proud to organise the third Aberdeen Legal Walk this year and is thankful for the support and event sponsorship provided by Addleshaw Goddard. The Walk has become a highlight in the GCLC calendar and this year’s walk was predominantly organised by our Student Director Ian Robertson who did a fantastic job in coordinating it all. The walk took in the sights of Aberdeen City and its NuArt installations, adding an interesting and thought-provoking focus to the walk. The walk itself importantly raises awareness of the issue of Access to Justice and to the Foundation itself. As a Law Centre we are only too aware of the difficulties people face in accessing legal support and assistance, which impacts all too often those most vulnerable in our society. We welcome the opportunity to support the Access to Justice Foundation and help raise awareness of the important work that they do.”

You can still donate to our six Scottish Legal Walks this year, the individual donate links for each event are in the event table, along with more background information at https://atjf.org.uk/about-us/our-work-across-the-uk/scotland.

We are already looking forward to 2026, and if you would like to be involved with the Access to Justice Foundation Scotland committee, help with a local walk near you, or help to set up a new Scottish Legal Walk, please email me.

Graeme McWilliams 
Chair
The Access to Justice Foundation Scotland committee 
Email: gmmcw@aol.com